Oly ag students gain educational experience

Staff report

Wednesday

Sep 5, 2018 at 3:09 PMSep 5, 2018 at 3:09 PM

The Olympia FFA Chapter took 13 upperclassmen to the MAGIE Expo in late August at the McLean County Fairgrounds in Bloomington. MAGIE, which stands for Midwest Ag Industries Exposition, showcases the best equipment offerings in the fertilizer and chemical industry and brings together the best companies and employees in the crop production supply and service sector.

Leslie Forrest, of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association organized the trip for the Olympia FFA members. She made them all a fun scavenger hunt and coordinated with exhibitors so that each member received a free lunch.

While at the show students learned about chemical/fertilizer equipment at different booths and they even got to drive various pieces of equipment.

Reece Douglas, a junior at Olympia, said his favorite part of the trip was getting to drive the $600,000 John Deere sprayer.

Those who attended the show saw multiple types of farm equipment including some from John Deere, Doyle, and Agricover.

One of the best things about the ag show was the free food and other items at the MAGIE show.

Jessi Beachy, a senior, said that her favorite part of the day was eating a pork chop on a stick from the employees at the Doyle booth.

The FFA members were also able to learn more about general safety including chemical application and grain bin rescues by visiting the Asmark Institute.

The Asmark Institute Agricenter is a 20,080 square foot training facility constructed on a 4.2 acre lot in McLean County. This unique training complex is home to several Signature training courses including the R. C. Smith Ammonia Technician Course. Overall the students said that the MAGIE show and touring the Asmark Institute in Bloomington was a great learning experience and it was very fun.

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